Argues for appraising tests for evidence of construct validity as well as evaluating the potential social consequences of test use. Asserts that construct validity provides a rational approach for predictive hypotheses and a rational basis for judgment of test relevance to the criterion domain. (Author/JCD)

Different indices for the internal consistency, reproducibility, or homogeneity of a test are based upon highly similar conceptual frameworks. Illustrations are presented to demonstrate how the maximum and minimum values of KR20 are influenced by test difficulty and the shape of the distribution of test scores. (Author/CTM)

Discusses the value of standardized tests in providing useful measurement of career education programs and presents advantages of standardized over locally prepared tests in many instances. Includes test selection consideration and some resources for test selection. (MF)

This report examines the current use of standardized reading tests in British schools seven years after a critical government report. Included in the review is a discussion of the variables affecting test development and use, as well as four recommendations for future testing policy. (AM)

Two variations of an alternative method to construct behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS) are suggested. The traditional and two simplified methods were used to develop scales for teacher performance evaluation. The shortcut derivation method is recommended, as it requires less construction time. (Author/GK)

Explains a model that exploratory research indicates would be of practical value as an aid in counseling students entering introductory computing. (Author/JM)

Describes the construction of an instrument to measure identity, primarily based on Chickering's approach, i.e., the Erwin Identity Scale (EIS), designed to measure the three main concepts comprising identity: confidence, sexual identity, and conceptions about body and appearance. (Author)

The variety of hand grips of 12 children, most of whom were moderately or severely retarded, were classified in order to begin an analysis of hand function. Test reliability was not as great when items were presented to the children as compared to when children were observed or rated by videotape. (FG)

This article reports on the construction of a 60-item inventory for the identification of child abusers. A principal axis factoring with oblique promax rotations was performed to interpret the underlying dimensionality of the predictor items. Four dimensions were found: loneliness, rigidity, problems, and control. (Author/SJL)

Described is a "road map" type chemistry problem which tests students ability to combine knowledge of chemical facts with good scientific reasoning to arrive at the answer. This type of question can be used in freshman chemistry courses because it does not require specialized knowledge. (Author/DS)

Obvious items were good predictors of all criteria; neutral items overlapped considerably with obvious items; and subtle items generally did not contribute uniquely to the prediction of any of the concurrent measures of depression. (Author)

Cautions against using standardized tests to make simplistic judgments about students' reading comprehension. Suggests two approaches to testing that teachers might use to devise testing procedures that represent their own views of the important reading strategies and skills that students need to acquire. (AEA)

The Classroom Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) was developed to provide school psychologists with a measure of learning-related classroom behaviors of elementary school pupils. The CBRS demonstrated substantial validity as shown by correlations with academic achievement tests, IQ scores, and teacher ratings of other classroom behavior problems.…

A sampling methodology is proposed for determining lengths of tests designed to assess the comprehension of written discourse. It is based on Bormuth's transformational analysis, within a domain-referenced framework. Guidelines are provided for computing sample size and selecting sentences to which the transformational rules can be applied.…

A question is raised as to how much emphasis should be placed on the use of technical terminology in lectures, reading assignments, and tests, particularly in introductory college courses, if all that is facilitated pertains to factual recall. (JD)